"At this time Brown County has an emergency declaration and the travel advisory level of a warning. A warning means that travel is restricted to emergency personnel only. Citizens are directed to refrain from all travel, comply with necessary emergency measures, cooperate with public officials and disaster services forces in executing emergency operations plans, and comply with the directions of properly identified officers."

The Indiana State Police Bloomingon Post reports: • DO NOT CALL county or state police to check on road conditions – police agencies across the state want to keep phone lines open for emergency phone calls • For up-to-date weather information ... check the National Weather Service athttp://www.crh.noaa.gov/ind/• Visit www.TrafficWise.IN.gov or dial toll-free 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) for updated Indiana travel information, including road conditions, road closures, construction information, crashes and other traffic alerts • If you must drive during any period of the storm a fully charged and functioning cell phone is your best friend • If involved in a crash and no one is injured and the involved vehicles are still drivable, move to a safe area to exchange names, vehicle and license plate information, along with driver license number and insurance agent name and phone number with the other driver • During severe weather conditions law enforcement will be busy responding to emergency calls and will not be able to take reports of crashes where there is only damage to property • Vehicles left abandoned along interstate and state road right-of-ways are subject to immediate removal during inclement weather events.

From the Department of Homeland Security:

Winter storm conditions continue in much of the state. Freezing rain followed by snow and high winds have made travel in much of southern Indiana inadvisable. Significant snow and some ice are expected to cause hazardous travel conditions today. In addition wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph may cause whiteout conditions leading to dangerous travel.

Travel advisory map

Citizens are asked to carefully consider whether travel is necessary. Consult the Indiana Travel Advisory Map at getprepared.in.gov. If you must drive during any period of the storm, make sure you have a fully charged and functioning cell phone. IDHS also recommends carrying blankets, extra water, a small shovel and other items which may be helpful if you find yourself in trouble on the road.

Power outages

There are currently 944 people without power in the state:Vectren – 217 without power

South Central REMC – 278 without power

NIPSCO – 123 without power

IPL – 94 without power

Duke Energy – 232 without power

Response personnel

Ten Indiana National Guard Highway Assistance Teams (HAT) have been mobilized around the state: Two each in Evansville, Vincennes, Terre Haute and Indianapolis, with one team in Muncie and one team in Richmond. Each HAT consists of four personnel and two humvees. Each team is assisting in rescuing stranded motorists and taking them to shelters. The National Guard also has two command and control units deployed to assist Indiana Department of Homeland Security efforts around the states. In total, over 100 Indiana National Guard Personnel are responding to the storm.

The Indiana Department of Transportation continues to plow interstates, U.S. highways and state routes with approximately 700 trucks.

General information

With weather systems like this it's not uncommon to see widespread power outages. If customers experience a power outage, they should report it to their electric utility by calling the company directly. While utility companies will be working to quickly repair any outages, storms of this size and magnitude often make it very difficult to restore power immediately. Charge cell phones, laptops and other devices now so that if power goes out, you will have a maximum charge on electronic devices. Be sure to have food and water for three days, a battery operated or hand crank all hazards radio, flashlights, extra batteries, extra blankets and extra clothing.

If you can’t stay in your home due to cold temperatures, call your local authorities to find the location of a shelter.

Accidents

Since the storm hit, the Indianapolis area the Indianapolis state police post has received more than 170 calls for service with 159 of the calls being reports of single- or multiple-vehicle crashes.

Interstate exit and on ramps are slick and hazardous. Avoid traveling until the storm passes and state and county road crews are able to clear the roads.